Holding device



May 6, 1941.

R. R. HARRISON HOLDINGDEVICE Filed Dec. 29, 1939 ROBERT I?- HARRISON.

Patented May 6, 1941 [UNITE stars. 1

TE -NT Fries aznnze HQLBING DEVICE Robert R. Harrison, New Haven, Conn.Application Decemcer 29, 1939', No. 311,863

(o1. sa i- 2cc? 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a holding device.

An object of the invention is the construction of a'holding device whichwill permit easy placing of the articleto be supported between thejaw'units and the clamping bar, by reason of the jaw units being at alltimes in engagement and affording a broad bearing surface to be engagedby the article.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a holding devicein which the clampingbar "can be forced to an unseated position. butwhen released will automatically slide to a clamping or looking positionin cooperation with jaw units that are always in engagement.

A still further object of the invention is the construction of a noveland efficient holding device out of spring "wire, whereby the action ofthe clamping bar is substantially automatic in conjunction withoverlapping jaw units for emciently securing an article of anydescription securely upon the device, whether such article he a towel, adish cloth, a diaper, or the like.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, the invention comprisescertain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts aswill be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, and more particularly poined out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

. Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the holding device in its normalcondition.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3, Fig. 1, and looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4, Fig. 1, and looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5--5, Fig. 1.

Figure 6 is a view in front elevation of the holding device as itappears when the resilient sides are compressed, and the jaw units arein their maximum engaging position, for receiving an article betweensaid jaw units and the clamping bar.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line 1-1, Fig. 6, and looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view of two jaw units of anotherembodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9, Fi 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary plan view of two ill engaging jaw units ofanother embodiment of the invention.

. Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on line Il -i I, Fig. 10.

l 'R e ferring to the drawing, and especially to Figures 1 to; '7, inwhich I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the frame Iis formed from strong spring wire. This frame I comprises an eye or loop2 with diverging arms 3'; said arms 3 are provided at their outer endswith straight sides 4,. and said sides 4 are provided at their outerends with radically converging portions 5; said portions 5 terminate ininwardly-extending, permanently-engaging slidahle jaw units 6. The jawunits 6 are at substantial right angles to said sides 4. The jaw uni-ts6 provide a comparatively broad bearing surface (Fig. 5) over which topass the article l- (dotted'lines) to be secured on the device I;

when the jaw units 6 are in their greatest engaging position (Fig. 6) atthe time of inserting article 1, no possible retardment of insertionoccurs, since the article has a broad bearing surface to engage,eliminating any clamping or pinching of the article between the engagingjaw units. When the jaw units are in their normal position (Fig. 1) theysupport the article as shown in dotted lines in a very efiicient manneThe clamping bar 8 is provided at its ends with eyes 9 that slide uponthe portions 5 and sides 4.

When the operator wishes to insert an article between the jaw units andthe clamping bar he forces the bar upwardly or inwardly on sides 4,thereby depressing the same, which causes the sides to appear radicallyconverging, then when the operator releases the clamping bar, by reasonof the springy action of the device, the bar automatically quicklyslides towards the jaw units 6, over the radically converging portions 5and assumes a locked position with respect to the jaw units, whereby anarticle between the jaw units and the bar will be securely held inposition upon the holding device. The particular reason for this holdingor locking of the bar in a clamped position is that the portions 5prevent any accidental movement of the bar upon the side 4.

By reason of the straight inwardly-extending jaw units 6 at all timesbeing in engagement, the article 1 is greatly supported upon two jawunits, irrespective as to whether the jaws are in their normal positionsas shown in Figure 1 or pressed together at their maximum engagingposition, as shown in Figure 6.

The holding device I may be supported in any suitable manner; forinstance, when it is being used in a dwelling it may be supported upon ahook l0, but if it is desired to use this device as a clothes pin, forsupporting articles on a clothes line, the clothes line (not shown) canbe threaded through the eye 2, and the device will operatesatisfactorily.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9, the jaw units 6a areprovided with flat engaging faces ll, whereby a very snug fit isproduced. These jaw units Ba are provided with flat tops l2 upon whichthe article supported rests during the holding operation.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 10 and 11, the jaw units 617 areprovided with the flat tops l2, the same as in the embodiment shown inFigures 8 and 9. One of the jaw units 6b is provided on its inner facewith a longitudinallyextending groove l3 (Fig. 11) and the other jawunit is provided on its inner face with a longitudinally-extending ribl4; rib I4 is in the groove 13, whereby the jaw units 61) admirablyslide against each other and are kept in a registering position;resulting in the tops 12 being always in the sameplane. I

It'is to be noted that the inner ends of the jaw units in all of theembodiments are at all times between the sides 4, whether in their nor:-rhal position or in a compressed position, Figs. 1 and 6," respectively.

Whi1e I have described the preferred embodiments-of my invention andillustrated the same in the accompanying drawing, certain changes oralterations may appear to one skilled in the art to-which this inventionrelates, during the extensive manufacture of the same, and I, therefore,reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall fairlyfall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a holding device, the combination of a spring wire frame includingsubstantially parallel straight sides, said straight sides terminat ingat their outer ends only in radically converging portions, saidconverging portions terminating at their outer ends ininwardly-extending parallel straight jaw units, said jaw units havingtheir ends at all times between said sides, a clamping bar on saidsides, said clamping bar provided with eyes surrounding said sides, andsaid eyes adapted to tightly engage said converging portions and be heldsecurely thereby against accidental movement when said clamping bar isin its normal position contiguous to said jaw units.

2. In a holding device, the combination of a frame provided withpermanently-engaging jaw unitasaidjaw-units being flattened on theirengagingside surfaces and flattened on their abutting topsthroughouttheir length, said side surfaces-only provided with interlocking means,and :a clamping bar slidably mounted on said frame.-

3. In a holding device, the combination of a frame provided withparallel permanently engaging jaw units, one of said jaw units providedwith a groove on its inner side and the other jaw unit 'provided with arib on its inner side in said groove and a clamping bar on said frame.

7 l. In a holding device the combination of a frame provided withengaging jaw units, one of said jaw units'provided with alongitudinallyextending groove on its inner side face and the other jawunit provided with a longitudinallyextending rib on its inner side face,said rib seated in said groove, and a clamping bar slidably mounted onsaid frame.

ROBERT R. HARRISON.

